The Bronze Age of DC Comics

Comics grow up

The humanized super hero

The Bronze Age of DC Comics

Explore the evolving universe of DC Comics as underground publications and shifting political tides saw the archetypal Super Hero engage with real life issues such as women’s rights and race relations. Includes an original interview with Green Lantern/Green Arrow writer Denny O’Neil.

On December 15, 1978, the dreams of generations of American children finally came true. “You’ll believe a man can fly” read the posters and billboards for the blockbuster film Superman. The hugely popular movie cemented the role of the Super Hero as America’s most enduring archetype, and the comic book as one of the country’s most significant native art forms.

That art form, however, was already moving in a new direction. Influenced by the emergence of underground comics and shifting political tides, DC Comics’ line of comics was increasingly aimed at adults, and sold in comic book shops, rather than on newsstands. Socially relevant subjects such as racism and women’s rights had entered the mainstream, and comics weren’t just for kids anymore.

This reader-friendly sized edition explores the evolution into the Bronze Age of DC with a careful curation and expansion of material from TASCHEN's XL book, 75 Years of DC Comics, winner of the Eisner Awards, the Oscars of the comic world. Bountiful images bring the story lines, characters and creators to life, alongside an original interview with Green Lantern/Green Arrow writer Denny O’Neil.

The author

Paul Levitz is a comic book fan who has worked as editor/publisher of The Comic Reader, editor of the Batman titles and others, writer of more than 300 stories—including an acclaimed run on Legion of Super-Heroes—and a DC Comics executive, finishing his 38-year stint with the company as President and Publisher. He returned to writing in 2010 with a new series of Legion stories and other projects. Four of his books have been New York Times best sellers.

The Bronze Age of DC Comics

“This is an incredibly well researched volume which includes the type of high resolution images that will have DC fans salivating… It’s a wonderful look at the classic characters and forgotten books that have helped shape the minds of generations of readers.”

— moviesinfocus.com

“…a truly definitive tome on this period…The first thing to strike you is the lavish feel and quality, which together with the exquisite binding present something that oozes quality from cover to bronze foiled cover… All beautifully restored and printed for future generations to easily experience…It’s a bronze foiled time machine. Buy it. Be happy.”

— Starburstmagazine.com

“This is an incredible book for anyone who lived through the Bronze Age and saw DC heroes reach maturity, and a must for those who are too young.”

— Cleveland.com

“…an absolute joy to look at with extremely high quality paper stock and high res images to ogle at for hours on end and at a very reasonable price.”